Conditions & Diseases: Cardiovascular System

High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)

See Also:
High Blood Pressure (Hypertension): Introduction & Overview
High Blood Pressure (Hypertension): Types
High Blood Pressure (Hypertension): Causes & Risk Factors
High Blood Pressure (Hypertension): Signs & Symptoms
High Blood Pressure (Hypertension): Medical Tests & Diagnosis Methods
High Blood Pressure (Hypertension): Treatment Options

Causes & Risk Factors

Causes

Primary Hypertension: The exact causes for primary hypertension are not known but some probable causes include:

• Smoking
• Obesity
• Alcohol abuse
• Lack of physical activity (Exercise)
• Diet
• Family history (1)

Secondary Hypertension: Some known causes for secondary hypertension include:

• Kidney disorders
• Renal artery stenosis
• Pyelonephritis
• Glomerulonephritis
• Kidney tumors
• Polycystic kidney disease (inherited disease)
• Kidney injury
• Radiation that effects kidneys

Hormonal disorders:

• Hyperthyroidism
• Hyperaldosteronism
• Cushing's syndrome
• Pheochromocytoma
• Acromegaly

Other disorders:

• Coarctation of the aorta
• Arteriosclerosis
• Preeclampsia (a complication of pregnancy)
• Acute intermittent porphyria
• Acute lead poisoning

Drugs:

• Non-steroidal anti inflammatory drugs
• Oral contraceptives
• Corticosteroids
• Cyclosporine
• Erythropoietin
• Cocaine
• Alcohol abuse
• Licorice (excessive amounts) (9).

Risks

Risk factors include:

I. Factors beyond our control:

1. Age: Aging increases the risk of developing hypertension. Women are at increased risk of developing hypertension post menopause.

2. Race: Black people are at a higher risk of developing hypertension as compared with Caucasians. Black people develop hypertension at a younger age and suffer more frequently from serious complications such as strokes and heart attacks.

3. Family history: Hypertension could be hereditary.

II. Factors that can be controlled:

1. Excess sodium in diet: Excess salt (Sodium Chloride) in one's diet can retain fluid in the body which can lead to an increase in blood pressure.

2. Less potassium in diet: Lesser potassium intake in one's diet can lead to an imbalance of sodium and potassium in the body cells leading to an increase in hypertension

3. Obesity: An obese person requires more blood to supply oxygen and nutrients to tissues and as the volume of blood circulated through the blood vessels increases, so does the pressure on the artery walls.

4. Usage of tobacco: Chemicals in tobacco damage the lining of artery walls causing the arteries to narrow, increasing the blood pressure.

5. Physically inactive: Physically inactive people tend have higher heart rates leading to more hard work by the heart, meaning forceful contraction and more blood pressure. Physical inactivity also leads to obesity.

6. Alcohol abuse: Excessive consumption of alcohol can cause the release of hormones that increase the blood the flow and heart rate.

7. Stress: High levels of stress leads to a dramatic rise in blood pressure.

8. Chronic conditions: Chronic conditions such as high cholesterol, diabetes, kidney disease and sleep apnea may increase the risk of HBP (10).

See Also:
High Blood Pressure (Hypertension): Introduction & Overview
High Blood Pressure (Hypertension): Types
High Blood Pressure (Hypertension): Causes & Risk Factors
High Blood Pressure (Hypertension): Signs & Symptoms
High Blood Pressure (Hypertension): Medical Tests & Diagnosis Methods
High Blood Pressure (Hypertension): Treatment Options

Article by Kona Vishnu, MS
Medical Writer,
OmniMedicalSearch.com